RANK #368 / 996 · POP 65,018 · PA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.3%
Jim Thorpe, often called "America's Little Switzerland," is a notable town in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, known for its Victorian architecture and dramatic mountain scenery. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, approximately 90 miles west of New York City and 90 miles northeast of Philadelphia, the county offers a blend of historic charm and natural beauty. Commuting to nearby cities like Allentown is about 33 miles, while Philadelphia is around 80 miles, with bus services available. The community feel is often described as welcoming, with a focus on outdoor recreation. Over two-thirds of the county is state game land and state park land, providing extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River, and exploring areas like Lehigh Gorge State Park and Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Life in Carbon County attracts those seeking a connection to nature and a sense of history. The county's population has been growing, with many residents owning their homes. Educational options include five school districts and a county-wide technical school. The economy, historically rooted in coal, is now seeing investments in technology, industrial, and commercial sectors. Local initiatives support workforce training and infrastructure improvements, aiming to attract new businesses and expand existing ones. The top industries in the county include retail, healthcare, social assistance, and manufacturing.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Panther Creek AI Data Center
Bitfarms Ltd. and T5 Data Centers
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Rock Creek Wind II
Undisclosed
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Rock Creek Wind
Undisclosed
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Sage Meadows Subdivision
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Carbon County has a Boom Town Index score of 63/100, ranking #368 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.9% and a median household income of $64,538, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Carbon County is $179,600 with median rent at $941/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3593, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.9%. Home values changed +0.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.23% of Carbon County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.